To:
Maine Governor Paul LePage

Tell Governor LePage to stop fighting clean energy projects in Maine!

Stop throwing regulatory and legislative road blocks in the way of clean energy projects in the state of Maine. Lead, follow, or get out of the way!

Why is this important?

Norwegian energy company Statoil recently pulled out of a $120 million offshore wind pilot project off the coast of Maine and will instead be investing their resources in Scotland.

In 2011, the Maine Public Utilities Commission issued an RFP for an offshore wind project. Statoil submitted a proposal for four floating turbines to be anchored near Boothbay Harbor. The proposal was accepted and in January of this year, the PUC and Statoil finalized a term sheet.

Everything was looking good for the project to move ahead until this summer when Governor Paul LePage pressured the state legislature to negate Statoil's deal and open the project back up for proposals. It's no wonder Statoil fled.

The most ironic thing about this whole affair is the slogan Governor LePage rolled out soon after taking office: "Maine—Open For Business". It seems that in Governor LePage's state, that slogan doesn't apply to clean energy businesses.

It's vital for the health of our economy and our environment that we switch over to clean, renewable energy sources like wind power. Maine needs to tap into the abundant energy locked up in our winds and we need a governor who will help make that happen.

Category

Updates

2013-10-29 07:07:58 -0700

Wow! 1,266 signatures right now! Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to sign and share this petition. It's great to know that so many Mainers care about the development of clean energy here in our great state.

I am still working out details on how I am going to deliver this petition to Governor LePage and will have news to share sometime this week.

In the meantime, check out this op-ed by Maine State Senate President Justin Alfond (D-Portland) on the damage LePage caused Maine by killing the Statoil deal: